Tubular bag making machine



Feb. 1, 1944. E. E. WEST TUBULAR BAG MAKING MACHINE Filed July 17, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 m m w w Feb. 1, 1944.

E. E. WEST TUBULAR BAG MAKING MACHINE Filed July 17, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 1, 1944. E. E. WEST TUBULAR BAG MAKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 17, 1940 M W m Feb. 1, 1944. E. E. WEST TUBULAR BAG MAKING MACHINE Filed July '17, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 1, 1944. a 5; WEST 2,340,290

TUBULAR BAG MAKING MACHINE Filed July 17, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 irromvaas Feb. 1, 1944.

E. WEST TUBULAR BAG MAKING MACHINE Filed July 1'7, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 L m. Y %\N w WNN m NN 5 WRN Feb. 1, 1944. 5, 551- 2,340,290

TUBULAR BAG MAKING MACHINE Filed July 17, 1940 '7 smug-sheet 7 Patented Feb. 1, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TUBULAR BAG MAKING MACHINE Edward E. West, Richmond, Va.

Application July 17, 1940, Serial No. 346,029

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for forming tubes.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for forming a tube from a continuous strip of material by securing the strip together on the bias.

Another object is to provide a machine for forming a tube from a continuous strip of material by securing the overlapped edges together diagonally or on thebias.

Another object is the provision of a tube forming machine having novel means for continuously delivering a strip of material to a sewing machine and sewing the selvages of the strip together on the bias to form a tube or cloth tubing of predetermined length.

A further object is the provision of a tube forming machine having novel means for forming a tube from a continuously moving strip of material by securing the edges of the strip together on the bias.

A further object is to provide a tube forming machine for continuously forming a tube from a strip of material by stitching or otherwise securing the edges of the strip together on the bias.

A still further object is the provision of a tube forming machine for continuously forming a tube from a strip of material having novel means for forming the strip into a tube and delivering the same to a sewing means whereby the material is sewed on the bias to efiect a continuous tube of predetermined length.

A still further object is to provide a machine for forming a continuous tube from a strip of material, having novel means for winding the tube upon a reel for future use, after the sel-' vages of the strip have been secured together on the bias.

Another object of the invention is directed to a method and apparatus for forming a continuous tube having adjustable supporting means to permit of the machine accommodating strips of material of varying widths.

These and other objects will be apparent as the specification is considered with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one half of the complete tube forming machine, showing the main cloth feeding mechanism and the mechanism for winding and sewing the cloth strip on the bias;

Figure la is a side elevation of the remaining half of the complete tube forming machine, showing the mechanism for untwisting and winding the continuous tube;

Figure 2 is a plan view of one half of the complete tube forming machine, as shown in Figure 1; v

Figure 2a is a plan view of the remaining half of the complete tube forming machine, as shown in Figure 1a;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross section of the tube winding turntable and gear mechanism for rotating the same, when the turntable is in a position at right angles to the position of Figure 2a;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of aportion' oi the tube winding turntable, showing the brake mechanism for controlling the winding of the con-. tinuous tube;

Figure 6 is a plan view of one of the feed belt operating devices;

Figure 7 is a perspective of the spreading bow on the turntable for smoothing the tube before winding the same;

Figure 8 is a schematic view illustrating the various operations performed by the machine from the time the strip of fabric leaves the supply roll up to the time the strip is formed into a tube, untwisted andwound on a winding reel; and

Figure 9 is a plan view showing the strip of cloth being folded into a tube.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral I designates generally a base frame comprising a pair of spaced longitudinal I beam members 2. The extended rear ends of a pair of spaced I beam cross members 3, elevated above and supported by the base frame I, serve as a support for the base 5 of a pair of spaced vertical standards or uprights 4 A pair of bracket arms 6, suitably secured to-the base 5, extend upwardly and rearwardlyand are secured to the rear ends of a pair of horizontally disposed arms I, in turn secured to the: vertical standards 4, at a pointbelow their upper ends. A fixed cloth tensioning bar 8 extends between the bracket arms I, and a pair of spaced, parallel, cloth tensioning bars 9, secured together at their ends by blocks l0, are pivotally and adjustablv mounted on the bracket arms 6. An idler roller II. is also journalled in the upper ends or the standards 4.

A strip of any desired material l2, such as cloth or burlap, from a horizontally disposed reel l3 or other source or supply arranged tothe rear of the vertical standards 4, is drawn vertically over the fixed top bar 8, thence downwardly under and around the spaced adjustable tensioning bars 8, and upwardly and over the idler roller II. The series of bars 8 and 8, and the roller H serve to remove the wrinkles and folds from and smooth out the strip of material. The strip of cloth I2 is then drawn or pulled downwardly and forwardly between a' pair of main feed rollers l4, journalled in the standards 4, approximately on the rear base frame member 2. The second longitudinal drive shaft 2| of the speed unit l8 carries a sprocket 22 which is drivingly connected by a flexible chain 28 with a sprocket 24 on the outer end of a longitudinal drive shaft 88 of a Reeves speed control unit 81, suitably mounted between the main base frame I beams 2.

Thus rotation of the lower feed roller l4, in a counterclockwise direction, viewing Figures 1 and 3. through the sprocket chain drive, causes the top feed roller l4 to be rotated in the opposin or clockwise direction so that the strip of material I2 is pulled or drawn between the rollers l4 and delivered to the tube forming and sewing portion of the machine, about to be described.

A longitudinal I beam side frame member 25 is suitably secured to and supported by the cross base frame members 8, substantially parallel with the longitudinal front base I beam 2. Supported above and substantially parallel to the longitudinal side frame members 28, by a suitable bracket or post 21, is a longitudinally disposed material supporting tube or cylinder" 28. A corresponding, longitudinally disposed, rear, cylindrical, material supporting tube 28 is supported at one end by a suitable bracket or post 28 (see Figure 8) on a longitudinal rear I beam side frame member 88, which in turn is slidably mounted on the cross frame beams 8 by means of downwardly depending lugs or flanges 8| which loosely or freely engage the underside of the top flanges of the I beams 8. In actual practice, it has been found desirable to equip the lugs 8| with rollers, not shown, for engaging the I beams and assuring of freedom of movement of the supporting tube 28 thereover. A threaded rod 82 projects through a threaded bore in one of the lugs 8| on the underside of the front and rear side frame members 28 and 88, so that rotation of a hand wheel 84, (see Figure 1) on the outer end of the rod 82, causes the rear side frame 88 and the rear end of material supporting tube 28 to move either toward or away from the front side frame member 28 and material supporting tube 28. As the spacing of the material supporting tubes defines the width of the tube being formed during the winding of the cloth strip therearound, in a manner hereinafter described, it. is necessary to provide means for adjusting the tubes relative to each other. The

forward ends of the material supporting tubes are also adiustably connected together by any suitable means, such as a spider bracket 88cmsisting of four horizontally disposed arms 88 plvotally connected, at their outer ends to the inner sides of the material supporting tubes 28 and 28, as at 81, and at their inner ends to a pair of blocks 88, as at 88. The blocks 88 are provided with threaded bores 48 through which extend a threaded rod 4! having a hand wheel 42 on the outer end thereof. The rod 4| is formed with left and right hand threadedportions 43 and 44 on the forward and rear ends, respectively thereof, which engage the correspondingly threaded bores 48 of the blocks 88. Rotation of the hand wheel 42 and rod 4| causes the blocks 88 and bracket arms 88 to move toward or away from each other thereby moving the outer ends of the material supporting tubes 28 and 28 in a corresponding direction. Adjustment of the side frame members 28-88 and material supporting tubes 28-28 relative to each other, permits of varyingwidths of strips of material being accommodated by the machine. Thus, when a relatively wide width of cloth is to be employed, the rear material supporting tube 28 is moved rearwardly or away from the front tube 28, the required distance, and the rear tube 28 is moved towards or closer to the front tube 28 to accommodate a narrower width of cloth.

The desired width of the cloth tube to be run through the machine is of course selected before the strip of cloth is run therethrough. The outer ends of the cloth supporting tubes 28-28 are first adjusted and spaced the desired distance apart, by actuating the threaded rod 4| and bracket 88, to accommodate the width of cloth selected. The inner or opposite ends of the side frame member 28-88 and material supporting tubes 28-28 are then spaced "9. corresponding distance apart by means of the threaded rod 82, whereby the cloth supporting tubes are arranged substantially parallel to each other. It will be understood that the spacing between the lugs 8|, on the frame member 88, and the side edges and undersides of the top flanges of the I beams 8, permits of the respective ends of the fram member and rear cloth supporting tube 28 being adjusted, relative to the front cloth supporting tube 28 without disturbing the other end thereof.

An angularly disposed horizontal shaft 48, spaced slightly above the parallel material supporting tubes 28-28, extends forwardly and laterally across the tubes, at an angle of approximately twenty-two and one half (22 /2) degrees relative to the longitudinal axis thereof. The shaft 48 is supported at its rear end, at a point adjacent the outer end of the rear material supporting tube 28, by a vertical bracket arm 48 (see Figure 2) on the outer end of the rear main base frame I beam 2, and at its forward end by a vertical bracket arm 41, on the longitudinal front side frame member 28. The strip of cloth l2,

- being fed between the pair of main feed rollers l4, passes forwardly and downwardly over and around the angularly disposed shaft 45, as best shown in Figures 8 and 9. By virtue of the approximate 22 /z angle of the shaft 48, relative to the cloth supporting tubes 28-28, the continuously moving strip of cloth is directed rearwardly over and thence forwardly around the rear tube 28 in a substantially diagonal direction. The strip, after passing over and underneath the rear tube 28, is directed forwardly and imder and thence upwardly and rearwardlyaround the front cloth supporting tube 28. Thus, the left hand selvage 48 of the strip of cloth, viewed from Figure 9, is caused to pass under and over the front tube 28, and the right hand selvage 48 thereof passes over and thence rearwardly under the outer end of the shaft 45. Therefore, the right hand selvage 48 is caused to overlie and overlap the left hand selvage 48, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. One of the advantages of the angular bar 45 is that it suitably spaces the material adjacent to the point where it is to be stitched thereby enabling the proper location of the sewing or other instrumentality employed to secure the biased edges of the strip together.

The overlapped selvages 48 and 40 of the cloth strip are secured together, at a point to the rear of the outer end of the angle bar 45, by any suitable means, such as a sewing machine 60, of conventional construction. An upstanding guide track or frame 200, suitably secured to the front longitudinal I beam frame member 2, serves as a support for a pair of guide wheels 20! rotatably mounted in the lower end of the sewing machines frame I. The sewing machine is adjusted or moved laterally on the track 200 and relative to the angle shaft 45, by a crank shaft 202, extending through the side frame member 25, and carrying a crank arm 203 on its inner end. The crank arm 203 is pivotally connected, as at 204, to the lower end of a downwardly depending fixed lug 205 (see Figure 8) on the sewing machine frame 5|. An upstanding lever 206, fixed on the forward end of the crank shaft 202, enables the operator to rock the shaft 202 and arm 208 and thus move the sewing machine 50 on the base track 200, in an obvious manner. Threads 52 are delivered to the needle 58, in the usual manner, from a pair of spools 54, supported above the sewing machine by a bracket 55, as the sewin machine is being driven by a motor 50' suitably mounted on the frame 200. The overlapped selvages 4649 of the travelling cloth strip are therefore stitched together on the bias or diagonally, due to the relative positions of the angularly disposed shaft 45, the parallel cloth supporting tubes 2628, and the sewing machine 50 so that the continuously moving cloth strip is in effect diagonally wrapped around the tubes and formed into a sewn tube 56, as best shown in Figure 8.

As the width of a strip of cloth will vary somewhat it is necessary to adjust the sewing machine to compensate for any irregularities in the unsewed margins of the cloth, that is, the portions of the cloth extending beyond the line of stitching. During the feeding of and the stitching of the cloth strip, the operator will notice any uneveness or irregularities in the unsewn margins thereof, and, by actuating the lever 206, can adjust the sewing machine 50 relative to the selvages of the cloth. Therefore, the unsewed portions will always be of uniform width.

A series of spaced, feeding belt devices 51, mounted adjacent each of the cloth supporting tubes 2628, frictionally engage the travelling strip of cloth l2 and uniformly pull or draw the same over and around, and prevent the strip from slipping laterally along the tubes. The desired feeding or conveying operation is effected, in a satisfactory manner, by arranging five of these devices adjacent the rear tube 28, and two adjacent the front tube 26, in spaced relation. The feeding devices 51 are driven by longitudinally disposed shafts 58 rotatably mounted in journal blocks 59 in the upper faces of each of the front and rear side frame I beams 25 and 30, beneath and slightly offset from the respective tubes 26 -28. Keyed on the two shafts 58 are a series of helical cogs or gears 60, as best shown in Figure 6, one for each feeding belt device, each of which meshes with and drives a helical gear or skew 6| carried by a rearwardly and laterally extending stub shaft 62, as particularly shown in Figure 6. The helical gears 60 and skews 6| are preferably encased by gear houslugs 68. Each of the stub shafts 62 extend substantially obliquely, with respect to the longitudinal main shafts 58, and carryon their outer ends a sheave or pulley or the like 64. A vertical bracket 65 (see Figure 1a), secured to each of the gear housings 63, has a laterally extending rod 66 adjustably connected by a bolt 66' to the upper end thereof. An upwardly and laterally extending arm 61 is pivotally mounted on the end of the rod 66 and substantially overlies the front and rear tubes 26-28, respectively. Thus, the bracket arms 61 on the two front .brackets 65 extend towardsthe right hand end of the front tube 26, viewing Figures 1, 1a, 2 and 2a, whereas the bracket arms 61 on the five rear brackets 65 overlie and extend to the left hand end of the rear tube 28, also as viewing-Figures 1, la, 2 and 2a. Therefore, the bracket arms 61, ad-

jacent the respective front and rear tubes 2626,

substantially face one another and extend in opposed directions, for a purpose presently set forth.

A sheave or pulley 60 is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 69, adjustably mounted on the outer ends of each of the bracket arms 61. Due to the relative positions of the brackets 61 and the stub shafts 62 and 60, the top sheaves or pulleys 68 are caused to substantially overlie and the lower sheaves or pulleys 64 are disposed beneath and slightly to one side of the respective front and rear tubes 26-28, and the pairs of pulleys 6468 are alsosomewhat angularly opposed to each other. Suitable flexible belts 10, extending over the pulleys and a laterally extending roller 1 I, adjustably mounted on each of the bracket arms 61, are rotated relative to the stationary cloth tubes 2628 by the longitudinal grive shafts 58, through the helical gears 60 and The front longitudinal drive shaft 58 carries a gear 12 and a sprocket 13 on its outer end. The sprocket 13 is drivingly connected by a chain or the like 14, with a sprocket 15 on the extended inner end of a longitudinal shaft 11 of a Reeves variable speed control unit 16, of conventional construction and suitably mounted between the main base frame I beams 2. The gear 12 meshes with a worm 19 on the front end of a horiontally disposed shaft 18, journaled in suitable bearin blocks secured to the outer ends of the top frame side I beams 25-30. A gear 8|, also carried by the outer end of the rear longitudinal shaft 58, meshes with a worm 82, splined on the rear end of the shaft 18. Slidable adjustment of the worm 82 on shaft 18 permits of the tubes 2628 being adjusted without removing the shaft 18. A second sprocket 83 on the extended end of the variable speed unit shaft 11 is drivingly connected by a flexible chain 84 with a sprocket 85 on the extended inner end of a longitudinal shaft 86 of the second Reeves variable speed control unit 81, of conventional construction and suitably mounted between the main base frame I beams 2. Mounted on the opposite end of speed unit shaft 86 is a sprocket 88 drivingly connected by aflexible chain 81 with a sprocket 69', on the extended end of a shaft 89, of the main electric motor 90, also of conventional construction, and suitably mounted on the main base frame 'I. Rotation of the speed unit shaft 86 rotates the front and rear beltdriving shafts 58, by means of the drive connections just described, whereby the lowermost sheaves or pulleys 64 of the various feeding devices 51 are also rotated. and. this in turn actuates the respective flexible drive belts 10. By virtue of the fact that the bracketarms 61, on the front and rear shafts 60, extend to the right and left, respectively, and due to the arrangement of the pairs of sheaves or pulleys 64-66, relative to the cloth supporting tubes 26-28, the outer faces of the belts I frictionally engage the top face of the travelling strip of cloth I2, as it passes around the curved outer sides of the respective tubes 26-20. Thus the cloth strip is pulled or drawn around the respective tubes so that the selvages 4049 of the strip are brought into overlapped relationship, as best shown in Figures 8 and 9, and are stitched or otherwise secured together along a substantially diagonal line.

Due to the angular arrangement of the two sets of driving belts with respect to the parallel material and tube supporting tubes, plus the location of these belts on opposite sides of the respective tubes 26-28 and the cloth tube 56, it follows that when the belts are rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, the series of rearwardly disposed belts pull the material of the strip rearwardly and downwardly and at the same time to the right, viewing Figure 2a. As this action is taking place and the strip is being folded and sewn into tubular form, the pair of forwardly disposed feed belts, which as previously explained also rotate in an anticlockwise direction, pull the cloth tube forwardly and upwardly and also to the right of Figure 2a. This combined action causes the unsewn strip of material to be drawn rearwardly and to the right'and thereafter causes the tube as a whole to rotate or slip in a rotary or substantially clockwise direction about the material supporting tubes, and also to be moved bodily to the right and off the right hand ends of these tubes.

The winding of the strip around the tubes 26-28, and the rotation or slippage of the tube 56 about these members, causes the sewed tube to be twisted or ravelled as it leaves the ends of the tubes. The tube of cloth 56 is then drawn upwardly and over a relatively large idler spool 9|, rotatably mounted in a suitable frame 92 suspended from the ceiling 93 of a room, by bolts or the like 94. The spool freely rotates, as the tube of cloth travels thereover. 9I may be rotated by a source of power, such as,

an electric motor, not shown. The tube of cloth,

after passing over the spool 9|, is drawn or pulled downwardly by mechanism mounted upon a vertically disposed rotating turntable 95 whereby the twist is removed therefrom and the' cloth tube 56 is rewound upon a reel for future use.

The turntable consists of a substantially rectangular carriage or base frame 96 having a relatively flat circular plate 91 suitably secured to and spaced from the underside thereof by brackets or the like 98. The circular plate 91 is secured, by bolts or the like 99, to a circular plate I00 carried by a horizontally disposed top gear IOI which is sleeved over a vertically disposed shaft I02. The top gear IOI meshes with and is driven by a worm I02 on the outer end of a longitudinal drive shaft I03, of the variable speed unit 81. Arranged beneath the gear IN and secured to the vertical shaft I 02 is a second gear I04, which meshes with and is driven by a worm I05 on the outer end of a longitudinal drive shaft I06 of the variable speed unit 16. Positioned above the plate 91 of top gear IOI, is a bevel gear I01, also carried by the vertical shaft I02 and extending If desired, the spool upwardly through ,an opening I00. in theflat circular turntable plate 91. The vertical shaft I02 and the top and bottom gears IOII04 and the worms I02 and I05 on the longitudinal drive shafts I03 and I06, respectively, are preferably mounted in a suitable gear box 201 mounted on and secured to the center one of three cross members 208 of the main base frame I. Carriage 06 is supported by a series of approximately six spaced idler rollers I09, rotatably mounted in brackets IIO suitably secured to the main cross frame members 208. Rotation of the drive shaft I03 rotates the worm I02, top gear IOI, and tumtable carriage in a counterclockwise direction, viewing Figure 2a, with the rollers I09 acting as a bearing surface for the flat, circular, turntable carriage plate 91. The bevel gear I01, on the upper end of vertical shaft I02, meshes with and drives a bevel gear 209 on the inner end of a horizontally disposed drive shaft III, suitably journalled in bearing blocks II 2 on the underside of the turntable carriage 06. The shaft III also carries a sprocket I I3 on the outer end thereof.

Extending transversely of the turntable carriage 96 are a pair of horizontally disposed, parallel, rewinding rollers II4 which are rotatably mounted by stub shafts H5 in the lower ends of a pair of vertical standards II6, secured by any suitable means not shown, to the ends of carriage 96. A pair of sprockets II 0, on one end of the rollers II4, are drivingly connected with each other and with the sprocket III on the outer end of the horizontal drive shaft III, by a flexible chain II9, whereby the rollers II4 are simultaneously rotated in the same counterclockwise direction viewing Figure 4, in an obvious manner, through the flexible drive, just described. Rotatably supported by stub shafts I2I in suitable openings in the upper ends of vertical standards II6 are a pair of horizontally disposed, slightly spaced, parallel rollers I20. One of the stub shafts I2I is extended and carries a sprocket I24 which is connected by a flexible chain I25 with a second sprocket I26 (see Figure 2a), on the end of one of the bottom roller stub shafts H5. The

rollers I20 are simultaneously rotated in opposing directions, that is, counterclockwise and clockwise, by means of a pair of meshing gears I21 on the top roller stub shafts I2I and the chain drive I25, whereby the rollers frictionally engage the cloth tube 56 and pull or draw the same downwardly therebetween, in an obvious manner, and deliver the same to a winding reel or core I28.

The winding reel I29 rests upon and is freely supported by the pair of horizontal bottom rewinding rollers I I4, and the extended ends of the reel stub shafts I29 thereof are disposed between the vertical standards I I6 and a pair of relatively short vertical standards I30 with the pairs of standards H6 and I30 spaced apart to permit of the winding reel sliding vertically therebetween as shown in Figures 1a and 4. A horizontal cross shaft I3I is rotatably mounted in the upper end of the vertical standards II6, below the pair of top feed rollers I20. The outer ends of the cross shaft I3I carry gears I32 which engage with the teeth I33 on a pair of vertical rack bars I94 having their lower ends slidably positioned in the space between the vertical standards I I6 and I 30, and their upper ends slidably extending between suitable bearings I35, secured to the upper ends of the main vertical standards H6, and the side edges of the standards. Recesses or grooves I36, formed in the lower ends of the rack bars I34,

and wound tightly around the reel.

receive the extended outer ends of. the winding reel stub shafts" I28. The rack bars thereby rest upon and the'welght thereof is sufficient to force or press the winding reel I28 downwardly against the bottom rewinding rollers I I4 so that rotation of the rollers, as previously described, rotates the winding reel I28 in a clockwise direction, viewing Figure 4, and causes the cloth tube 56 to be wound therearound. As the tube is wound around the reel I28 the winding-reel stub shafts I28 slide I88, against the tension of the rack bars I34. To

assure of the cloth tube 58 being tightly-wound on the winding reel I28, a hand wheel I31 (see Figure 2a), mounted on the end of the horizontal cross shaft I3I, may be rotated, ina clockwise direction viewing Figure 1a, by the operator to rotate the gears I32, in a corresponding clockbars downwardly. The winding reel I28 is thus forced against the bottom rewlnding rollers II4 so that the tube of cloth 58 is pressed against upwardly between the vertical standards I I8 and the main longitudinal drive shafts I83- I88, the

twisted or unravelled, by reason of the counterclockwise rotation of the turntable.

As the-main 'electric motor 88 is the source of power for andactuates the variable speed units I6, 81 and I8 which in turn drive the feed belt shafts 58, turntable 86, turntable feeding wise direction thereby forcing or pushing the rack Also mounted on the other end of the hori- .zontal cross shaft I3I is a brake drum I88 having a brake band I38 positionedthereon. One end of the band I38 is suitably secured to a pin I48, projecting from the upper end of the vertical standard H8, and the other end is threadedly and adjustably connected to an eye screw I4I which in turn is connected to a coil spring I42 attached to a pin I43 on ahandle or lever I44. This handle is pivotally mounted on a second pin I45 on the upper end of the vertical standard II6. Actuation of the handle I44, by the operator in a clockwise direction, viewing Figure 5, serves to draw the brake band- I38 tightly against and slow down the rotation of the brake drum I38, as the cloth tube is being wound on the reel I28. It will be noted, therefore, that the rack bars, being under the tension .of the brake band I39, uniformly apply pressure to the winding reel I28 so that the tubular cloth is uniformly and tightly wound on the reel, during the rotation of the bottom rewinding rollers I I4.

To assure of the removal of all wrinkles and folds from the tube, prior to its being drawn or pulled downwardly between the top horizontal feed rollers I28 on the turntable and being wound on the reel I28, .a vertically disposed spreader bow I46, particularly shown in Figure 7, is loosely mounted between and is supported by the top rollers I28. The bow comprises a wooden rod or roller I41 in the ends of which are secured the bent lower ends I48 of a bowed or curved wire I48. The roller I41 freely rests upon and between the respective feed rollers I28, and the bowed wire I48 is retained in vertical position by two pairs of inwardly extending, substantially U-shaped wire guides I58, suitably secured to the upper ends of the vertical standards II6, by L- shaped brackets I58.

The cloth tube 56 passes downwardly over and is stretched or spread laterally by the spreader bow I48 so that when fed between the rollers I 28 and wound on the reel I 28, will be relatively smooth or free from wrinkles. In other words, as the vertically disposed spreader bow I48 is arranged within the untwisted tube of cloth, and the tube passes downwardly thereover and between the -respective feed rollers I 28, the cloth tube is stretched or spread outwardly or laterally. Thus. all wrinkles or folds are removed from the cloth, before the cloth tube is wound on. the reel. By virtue of the driving connection between and rewinding rollers I28- I I8 and main cloth feed rollers I4, respectively, it 'will be understood that the successive operations of feeding the strip of cloth I2, from the supply reel I3, overthe angle shaft 45 and cloth supporting rolls 28-28,

untwisting the cloth tube 66 and winding the same on the turntable reel I28, are interdependent and synchronized to eifect one continuous operation.

, It is to be understood that numerous-changes and improvements may be made in the apparatus,

' herein described and illustrated, for carrying out the method, without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An apparatus for forming tubes from a continuously moving strip of material comprising a source of material supply, a supporting frame, spaced material supporting members on said frame, means for continuously feeding a strip of material from said source of supply to and around said spaced supporting members, an angularly disposed means mounted on said frame and spaced above and extending at an angle with respect to said supporting members for directing said moving strip substantially diagonally over the supporting members whereby the marginal ed es of said strip are caused to overlap, and sewing means on said supporting frame betweensaid members and adjacent one end of said angularly disposed means for stitching together the overlapped marginal edges to form said strip into a continuous tube.

2. An apparatus for forming tubes from a continuously moving strip of material comprising a source of material supply, a supporting frame. spaced cylindrical material supporting members on said frame, means for continuously feeding a. strip of material from said source of supply to and around said cylindrical members, a power means for said feeding means, an angularly disposed means mounted on said frame and spaced above and extending at an angle with respect to said cylindrical members for directing said moving strip substantially diagonallyover the supporting members whereby the marginal edges of said strip are caused to overlap, and sewing means on said supporting frame between said members and adjacent one end of said angularly disposed means for stitching together the overlapped marginal edges to form said strip into a continuous tube.

3. An apparatus for forming tubes from a continuously moving stripof material comprising a source of material supply. a supporting frame, a pair of spaced cylindrical substantially horizontal material supporting members on said frame. a

substantially horizontal folding member mounted on and extending at an angle with respect to said frame and spaced above said cylindrical members, means for continuously feeding said strip over said angularly extending folding member and to and around said cylindrical members, whereby said angular extending folding member directs said moving strip diagonally over said supporting members to cause the marginal edges of said strip to overlap, and sewing means on said supporting frame between said cylindrical members and adjacent one end of said folding member for stitching together the overlapped marginal edges to form said strip into a continuous tube, and means for stretching and winding said tubular strip.

4. An apparatus for forming tubes from a continuously moving strip of material comprising a source of material supply. a supporting frame,

spaced material supporting members on said frame, means for continuously feeding a strip of material from said source of supply to and spirally around said spaced supporting members, means mounted on said frame and spaced above .said members, said means extending at an angle to said members for directing said moving strip diagonally over said members for bringing the marginal edges of the strip together on the bias, means on said frame between said spaced members and adjacent one end of said angle means for securing the marginal edges together and forming said strip into a spirally wound and twisted tube, means for removing the twist formed in the tube during the securing of the marginal edges, means for spreading the tube, and means for winding the spread material into a uniform tubular roll.

5. An apparatus for forming tubes from a continuously moving strip of material comprising a source of material supply, a supporting frame, spaced material supporting members on said frame, means for continuously feeding a strip of material from said source of supply to and spirally around said spaced supporting members, means mounted on said frame and spaced above said members, said means extending at an angle to said members for directing said moving strip diagonally over said members for bringing the marginal edges of the strip together on the bias, means on said frame between said spaced members and adjacent one end of said angle means for stitching the marginal edges together and forming said strip into a spirally wound tube, feeding means for rotating the tube with respect to the supporting members thereby twisting the tube, rotating means on said frame for untwisting the twist formed in the tube during the feeding and stitching, vertically disposed means on said rotating means for spreading the tube, and rotating means on said untwisting means for winding the spiral material into a uniform roll.

6. An apparatusfor forming tubes from a continuously moving strip of material comprising a source of material supply, a supporting frame, spaced material supporting members on said frame, means for continuously feeding a strip of material from said source of supply to and spiral- 1y around said spaced supporting members, means mounted on said frame and spaced above said members, said means extending transversely of and at an angle to said members for-directing.

said strip diagonally over said members for bring- 7 feeding means for rotating the tube with respect to the supporting members thereby twisting the tube, a vertically disposed frame on said main supporting frame, means for rotating said vertical frame whereby said frame engages and untwists the twist formed in the tube during the feeding and stitching thereof, vertically disposed means on said rotating frame extending into and stretching the tube, rollers on said vertical frame, and means for rotating said rollers for winding the stretched tubular material into a uniform roll.

'7. An apparatus for forming tubes from a continuously moving strip of material comprising a source of material supply, a supporting frame, spaced supporting members on said frame, means for continuously feeding a strip of material from said source of supply to and spirally around said spaced supporting members, means mounted on said frame and spaced above said members, said means extending transversely at an angle to said members for directing said strip diagonally over said members for bringing the marginal edges of the strip together on the bias, sewing means on said frame between said spaced members and adjacent one end of said angle means for stitching the marginal edges together and forming said strip into a spirally wound tube, means for rotating the tube in one direction with respect .to said supporting members thereby twisting the tube, means on said frame for rotating the tube in the opposite direction to remove the twist therefrom, means for stretching the untwisted tube, and means for winding the tubular material into a roll.

8. In a machine for making a cloth tube from a continuously moving strip of material, a supporting frame, material supporting means on said frame, feeding means for feeding said strip to and over said supporting means, and means mounted on and spaced above said frame extending angularly with respect to said supporting means for directing said moving strip substantially diagonally over the supporting means for bringing the selvages of the strip together on the bias, and means for securing said selvages together and forming a tube on said supporting means, power means for rotating said tube in one direction over said supporting means and imparting a twist thereto, and means associated with said power means for turning said twisted tube in an opposite direction to that of the first mentlioied twist for removing the twist from said 9. In a machine for making a sewn cloth tube from a continuously moving strip of material, a supporting frame, material supporting means on said frame, feeding means for feeding said strip to and over said supporting means, and means mounted on and spaced above said frame extending at an angle to said supporting means for directing said moving strip substantially diagonally over the supporting means for bringing the selvages of the strip together on the bias, and sewing means for uniting the selvages and forming a tube on said supporting means, power means for rotat ing said tube in one direction over said supporting means and imparting a twist thereto, and a turntable associated with said power means for tumingsaid twisted tube in an opposite direction to that of the first mentioned twist for removing the twist from said tube.

10. In a machine for making a sewn cloth tube from a continuously moving strip of material, a supporting frame, material supporting means on said frame, feeding means for feeding said strip to and over said supporting means, and means mounted on and spaced above said frame extending at an angle to said supportinsmeans for directing said moving strip substantially diagonally over the supporting means'for bringing the selvages of the strip together on the bias, and sewing means for uniting the selvages and forniing a tube on said supporting means, power means for rotating said tube in one direction over said supporting means and imparting a twist thereto, and a turntable associated with said power means for turning said twisted tube in an opposite direction to that of the first mentioned twist for removing the twist from said tube, and means associated with said turntable for winding the untwisted tube into a roll. 1

11. An apparatus for forming tubes from'a continuously moving strip of material comprising a source of material supply, a supporting frame, spaced supporting members on said frame,- feedlng means for delivering a strip of materialfrom the source of supply to and over and around said supporting members, a substantially horizontally and angularly disposed member mounted on said frame and supported above said supporting members, said member extending transversely of and at an angle to said members for directing said strip diagonally over said members for bringing the marginal edges of the strip together on the bias, sewing means on said frame between said spaced members and adjacent one end of said angle means for stitching the marginal edges of the strip together and forming said strip into a spirally wound tube, feeding means associated with said supporting members for engaging with and rotating the tube in one direction with respect to said supporting members thereby twisting the tube, a turntable having means thereon for engaging with and rotating the tube in the opposite direction to remove the twist therefrom, means associated with said turntable for stretching the untwisted tube, and rotatable means on said turntable for winding the tubular material into a roll.

12. An apparatus for forming tubes from a continuously moving strip of material comprising a source of material supply, a supporting frame, spaced substantially parallel cylindrical supporting members on said frame, feeding means for delivering a strip of material from the source of supply to and over and around said supporting members, a substantially horizontally and angularly disposed member mounted on said frame and supported above said supporting members, said member extending transversely of and at an angle to said members for directing said'strip diagonally over said members for bringin the marginal edges of the strip together on the bias, sewing means on said frame between said spaced members and adjacent one end of said angle means for stitching the marginal edges of the strip together and forming said strip into a spirally wound tube, a series of brackets adjacent said supporting members having rotating belts thereon for engaging with and rotating the tube in one direction with respect to said supporting members thereby twisting the tube, a turntable on said supporting frame, a pair of feeding rollers on said turntable for engaging with said tube whereby pon rotation of said turntable in the opposite direction the twist is removed from said tube, a vertically disposed substantially bowed member supported on said feeding rollers for stretching the untwisted tube, and means on said turnlilsable for winding the tubular material in a ro 13. An apparatus for forming tubes from a continuously moving strip of material comprising a source of material supply, a supporting frame, a pair of spaced substantially parallel cylindrical supporting members on said frame, feeding means for delivering a strip of material from the source of supply to and over and around said supporting members, a substantially horizontal member mounted on said frame and supported above said supporting members, said member extending transversely of and at an angle to said members for directing said strip diagonally over said members for bringing the marginal edges together on the bias, sewing means on said frame between said spaced members and adjacent one end of said angle means for stitching the marginal edges of the strip together and forming said strip into a spirally wound tube, a

series of brackets adjacent said supporting members, flexible belts rotatably supported by said brackets for engaging said strip of material, means for rotating said belts for rotating the tube in one direction with respect to said supporting members thereby twisting the tube, a tumtable on said supporting frame, a pair of feeding rollers on said turntable for engaging with said tube whereby upon rotation of said tumtable, in the opposite direction to that of said twist, the twist is removed from said tube, a vertically disposed substantially curved member supported on said feeding rollers for stretching the untwisted tube, and a reel on said turntable for winding the tubular material into a roll.

14. A bag machine for forming a tube from a continuously moving flat strip of material comprising a supporting frame, material supporting means longitudinally disposed with respect to said frame, means for continuously feeding the strip from a source of supply in a direction substantially at right angles to and thence around said supporting means, an angularly disposed means mounted on said frame and spaced above and extending substantially completely across and at an angle to said supporting means for engaging the flat strip throughout the width of the strip and for directing said moving strip substantially diagonally over said supporting means wherebythe marginal edges of the strip are brought together at an angle to said material supporting means, and means on said frame mounted adjacent one end of said angularly disposed means for uniting the marginal edges to form said strip into a continuous tube.

15. An apparatus for forming tubes comprising a source of material supply, a supporting frame, material supporting means longitudinally disposed with respect to said frame, means for continuously feeding a flat strip of material from said supply in a direction substantially at right angles to and thence around said material supporting means, an angularly disposed means mounted on said frame and spaced above and extending substantially completely across and at an angle to said supporting means for engaging the fiat strip throughout the width of disposed means for uniting the marginal edges to form said strip into a continuous tube.

16. An apparatus for forming tubes comprising a source of material supply, a supporting frame, 'material supporting means longitudinally disposed with respect to said frame, means for continuously feeding a flat strip of material from said supply in a direction substantially at right angles to and thence around said material supporting means, an angularly disposed means mounted on said frame and spaced above and extending substantially completely across and at an angle to said supporting means for engaging the flat strip throughout the width of the strip and for directing said moving strip substantially tiallyv the same plane on said frame, means for continuously feeding a strip of flat material from said supply to and over said material supporting members at an obtuse angle thereto to bring the opposite edges of the material, together on a helical angle to the supporting means, and means for securing said edges together to form a flat continuous tube.

18. An apparatus for forming tubes comprising a source of material supply a frame, spaced sub- 7 stantially parallel elongated separate material supporting members arranged in substantially the same plane on said frame, means for adjusting said'members, means for continuously feed ing a strip of flat material from said supply to and over said material supporting members at an obtuse angle thereto to bring the opposite edges of the material together on a helical .angle to the supporting means, means for securing saidedges together to form a flat continuous twisted tube, means for removing the twist formed in the tube, -means for spreading the tube, and means for winding the material into a uniform tubular roll, all of said means operating continuously in timed sequence.

19. An apparatus for forming tubes comprising a source of material supply, a frame, spaced substantially parallel elongated separate material supporting members arranged in substantially the same plane on said frame, means for continuously feeding a strip of flat material from said supply to and over said material supporting members at an obtuse angle thereto to bring the opposite edges of the material together on a helical angle to the supporting means, means mounted in juxtaposition to said material supporting members for reversing the direction of feed of the strip thereby to permit the location of a sewing instrumentality in position to stitch said marginal edges, and means mounted between said material supporting members for securing said edges together to form a flat continuous tube.

EDWARD E. WEST. 

